Telephone system



W. H. MATTHIES.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION man DEC.27, 191s.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

M yen for: WIN/am H. Ma f 177/65.

W-H. MATTHIES.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED nc.27,1s1s.

1,334, 3 1 1 Patented Mar. 1920.

4 5HEETS-SHEET 2.

/n ven for: W/l/fam hf Maffh/es.

W. H. MATTHIES.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM. APPLICATION man 020.21, 1916.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

on GM W. H. MATTHIES.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.27, I916.

i UNITED STAC ISES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. MATTHIES, 0F I-IAGKENSACK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED. OI" NEJV YORK, N. Y., A. CEORTPORATION UP NE'VV YORK.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. *ateuted Mar. 23, 1920.

Application filed December 27, 1916. Serial No. 139,118.

To aid 'b ibo ilt it may concern.

lie it known that I, lVILLIAM H. Mar- T111 its. a citizen oi. the United States, residin at i acllensaclt, in the county 01 Bergen and State ct New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems, of which the tolli'iwing is a tall, clear, concise, and exact description.

in telephone systems of the present type, it customary to locate at each ol'lice interceptin positions which receive the intercepted calls which come to that otlice. It is new P'I'('J]:)() c(l to centralize all the intercepted service positions of Inulti-oitice systems at one of the oiiices of this system.

i ith this centralization of the intercepted service positions, it. is necessary to provide ineans to intorin the intercepting operator, upon receiving a call, at which o'liice the call has been intercepted, as well as the character oi? the intercepted call which the operator is about to answer. ltwill be understood that the intercepted calls may be transferred at incoming; switches or at final switches.

The main feature 0t this invention is the provision oi means to control the operation ot automatic switches-i so that these switches will be in operative relation to come.

spending groups oi? lines teiiniiuating the reat.

imother feature of this invention is the provir-sion ot a counting; device to control the nroun Ql(-.L"ili()ll at the finder switch.

huother :leature oil? this invention is the eiupicn'nient ct means to actuate a counting device in awordanee with the number of subgroups ot lines tested by the finder and means to actuate the complement oi this number oi relays to control the setting oi? a second switch ou a subgroup of lines correweeding to the subgroup selected by the finder.

In order to bring intercepted calls "to err-opted positions, the lines 'troin the inconiingif or final switches are cross-connected to special lines wired to the terminals of an ai'itornatic switch which is herein ter ned an intercepted ccpted finder is capable of tin .ing anyone oi? 500 lines which terminate in its fixed contacts. These 500 lines are divided into main groups oil? 100 lines each, each group service finder" The interbeing controlled by one oil. the five sets ct brushes oil? the finder and each main group is divided. into subgroups of ten lines each. Connected to the intercepted service finder by n'ieans of a two wire trunk, is an intercepted service switch or conneriator which. is

line, each subgroup oi. ten lines passed durinc; this elwating operation locks up one pair o'i relays oil' a chain oi" counting relays. litter the calling line has been found by the finder switch, the brushes of the connector switch are raised and aue-aed to select a sub group oi? ten lines. corrcspondin x to the complement of the sulurroup eelectini by the inder and determined by the uuniln-r oi counting relays oi the counting chain locked up during; the finding operation. This arranpeinent causes the connector switch at the distant end of the trunk to bring the call. to the attention of an operator over a trunk locntcd in the subgroup of trunks correi'spondingrto the subpyroup to which the calling line was connected.

ll hen a calling; subscriber initiates a call to a line which has been cross-coin]ected to a line leading to the centralized intercepted service position, autmnatic switches. whose brushes are indicated at 101, 102 and 103,

operate to connect this calling substation to the link circuit terminating at the intercepted service finder. As soon as tbiecoir nection has been established, relay 104 is energized over a circuit extending from grounded battery, winding); of relay 104: armature and back contact of relay 105, conductor 106, the upper brush oil set 103, conductor 110, upper brush of set 102. to ground. The line relay 104i attracts its arinatures and thereby completes an encrgiz- 7 group.

An allotter is associated with the intercepted service finder system so that only one of the finders employed is in a position to start searching for a call at any one time.

.As is usual in allotting systems of this type,

the sequence switch 200 associated with the finder switch is moved from position 18 into position 1, when this finder switch is allotted for use. Each finder switch has associated with its controlling sequence switch a secondary sequence switch 400, which operates to connect the finder with an idle sender. 'VVhen the findersequence switch 200 reaches position 1, its secondary sequence switch 400 will be in such a position that one of three idle senders willbe associated with the finder.

, Assuming that an idle sender has been connected to the finder switch, the relay 201 will be energized over a circuit extending from ground, right-hand armature and back contact of relay 123, contact 452 winding of relay 201, conductor 206, contact 207, over the common starter wire 208, front contact and armature of 107, to grounded battery. Relay 201 is energized and attracts its armatures, and at its right-hand armatures completes a circuit to move sequence switch 200 out of position 1, which circuit extends from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch 200, conductor 209. contact 210, front contact and right-hand armature of relay 201, conductors 211 and 212, contact 213, to ground. Relay 201 will remain energized over a circuit extending from grounded left-hand armature and back contact of relay 202, conductors 203 and 20%, contact 205,jwinding of relay 201, contact 214, contact 215, resistance, front contact and left-hand armature of relay 201', conductor 216, contact 217, contact 21.8, conductor 219, contact 401, to grounded battery. As soon as sequence switch 200 arrives in position 2, a circuit is. completed for operating sequence switch 400. This circuit extends from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch 400, conductor 402, contacts 220 and 221, conductor 222, front contact and right-hand armature of relay 201, conductor 211, conductor 212. contact 213, to ground. The sequence switch 400 Will continue to rotate as long as the relay 201 remains energized. As the sequence switch 100 rotates into its successive positions, one of the contacts 408, M7, :l-lS, H9 or 450 maintains the holding circuit of relay 201. over one ol the test conductors similar to 401 common to a. group of trunks, to grounded battery at relay 107. The contacts 403, -l--;l7. H8, i l!) and 150 are so arranged that the closure of the test wire of the next succeeding group is effected beiore the opening of the circuit to tl e test wire oil the group being tested. The sequence switch 400 continues to rotate until it transfers the circuit 0'! the relay 201 to a test circuit similar to 104- of the calling group, which test circuit will be opened. due to the energized condition of the relay 107, as previously described. The relay 201 will therefore deenergizc and complete a circuit for moving the sequence switch 200 out of position 2, which circuit is established from grounded battery, magnet ol sequence switch 200. conductors 230 and 200. contact back contact and rightdnind armature ol relay 201, coin'luctor 21.1. couductor 212. contact 213 to grouinl. As the. sequence switch 201 moves out of position '3. it interrupts at the contacts 220 and 22l the operating circuit of the sequence switch 400, as previously described.

As soon as the sequence switch 200 reaches position 3, a circuit is closed from grouudial liiatterv. left-hand armature and back con tact of relay 22st, resistance contacts 226 and 227, conductor 228, through one ol the contacts similar to 405 over the differential release wire 406, right-hand winding of relay 107, front contact and right-hand armature of relay 104, to ground. The resistance 225 associated with the finder ciri cuit and the resistance 108 of the line circuit have the same value, so that the dilhr ential relay 107 will become deenergixml. This will remove battery from the common starter wire at the front contact and arinature of relay 107 and will apply it to the test wire of this group. ll. lni'wcver. there are two or more simultaneous calls originated in this subgroup of 100 lines. then the relay 1.07 will only become deenergizcd when the number of resistances 225 in the circuits of the intercepted service finders are equal to the number of resistances similar to 108, so that as many finders will start as there are calling lines in the group.

Also in position 3 of the sequence switch 200 a fundamental circuit is established for brush selection, which circuit may be traced from grounded battery, winding of line relay 202, contact 229, contact 230. resistance 1 231, conductor 232, contact 407, stepping rclay 408, armature and back contact of the upper zero counting relay 409, conductor 410, contact 411, conductor 112, contact 23 to ground. Relay 202 and the stepping reill) loo

llll

iii

lay L08 "will. he energized. As soon as the relay 202- is eneru ted. it closes a circuit from ground through its lett-hand arniature and :l'ront contact, coudml'or 9.454;, contact conductor 236, scquenoi switch 200 to grounded hattery, to more the sL-ajuenw switch out o'lipositimi 3.

In this position ot the sequence switch, the fundamental circuit, as dcscrihed. is maintained closed. hut the line relay is lochcd up through itsright-hand trout contact and armature, conchictor 23?. contact 230, over the lfundaincntufl circuit described. in position 4t of sequence switch 200 an opcrating circuit tor the high-speed up-driro iuaunct 239 is also completed. This circuit extent s from grounded battery, Willtllllfl of ina rnet 23h, conductor 22. 10. contact on, con-- doctor 23%, left-hand Zlront contact and arinatuie oi relay 202, to ground. As the linder switch brush rod elevated, at circuit in slnuit ot the fundamental. circuit dc scribed is established from grounded hatter-y, Winding oi? relay E202, righthand trout contact and armature of relay 202, conductor 1 7587, contact ildlc. conductor E245. conduct ing portion ol coinu'lutator 24:52, and coiniuutator brush 24-3. to ground whei'iever the brush 2H3 engages a conducting segment. lhlach time tlr' this sluuit circuit is coluplcted as brush 2 ,5 enctninters a conducting segment of coniinuitator 2&2, the steppil'ui' relay will he sh(n't-circuited and will intc rupt at its armature and trout contact the circuit extending from. ground through con! tact ll? conductor 414:, contacts Elalli and. 24:7, conductor 2&8, through one oi? the contacts L15, no, 4:17 or 418, depending; on the position at Which the switch .1100 was hroiurht to rest, through the Windinn; of one oi? the counting; relays, conductor l-lh, to grounded battery. After the finder switch haa talren the number of steps equal to the nuinhcr (it count-innrelays actuated as do terinined hy the posi ion. o'l' sequence switch too, the relay 202 will become decncrgiiced when the upper Zero counting; relay 4:09 attracts it When the relay 202 de armature. cner rnaes, a circuit is completed. :lor moving sequence switch 900 out of position 4t into position (3, which circuit may he traced ilf'roni 'oundcd battery at magnet of sequence switch 200, conductor 2S6. conductoij- 20$). contact 249, conductor- 203, hack contact and lett-hznid arntiature 0t relay 202 to ground.

l l hen the sequence switch E200 moves out cl? position at, ground is removed from. the circuit ot the counting; relays at contact .2953.

l Vhen the sequence switch 200 reached position 3. a circuit was closed for the allotter 420. which circuit extends from grounded battery. nuin'net oi the sequence switch no. conductor 4:21, contact 2 -116, con doctor ilel'i'. contact el-QQ. to grorunl. The allotter Will then. move into its next allotting; position to more the next finder from position 18 to position 1. Also in position 3 of sequence lilWltCll 200 a circuit is clo from grounded hatt ry, u'iruliiur oi? l. i; lay i213, conductor to (i-ontact conductor it-Ell, contact to rrouiul. to energize the lnisy relay of the sender circuit, thus making this sender test busy to the sec-- ondary allotters l? other finders.

l l hcn secuence switch. 200 reaches )osition (3, the fundamental circuit chitei'iding to the connector switch completed. This circuit may he tractail. from grounded battery. winding of line relay 305, contacts 30-l and 30S, cmnhu'tors 302. 253. contacts 252 and 251.. conductor 2322. contact #07, Winding 0i stomping relay 408, :H'lllillllll't. and back suvitch 300, contact 309, right-hand front contact and arn'iaturc oi relay 305. to

griiouiul. In. position oi the scuucnco snitch 300. an energizing circuit tor the hi5; spend lip-drive our hot 31.0 is established from grounded lia not ill), contacts 31] H12. conductor ill-l1.

a. circuit in. shunt circuit extends ilil'UI'll relay an? to ground.

or the 'liuiuhuncntal cry. Winding; oi loo urouiuled hatteiy, winding of relay 305. in;

lc'i' t-hainl :l'ront contact and aruulturc o'li this relay. contact- 308. conductor I-l'lfi. con-- tact 31o. commutator 3,117. coninultator hrush Pill-l, to ground. ll' hile the (mnncctor swltrl'l s being? elevated under the control. at the lie high speed up-driye magnet. and as the lair-sh 318 micounters a (:omlucting segment of the commutator 317, the stepping relay 308 is short-circuited in. the well-known niainuu'.

it will he remembered that sequence switch 400 is in the same position as when it actuated a chain ot counting; relays 1n the hrush selection of the finder switch. In

this instance also, the same counting relay 1 0 is actuated to select a brush at the connector corrcs )ondinc to the lirush tripped hy the finder. lVheu the cha in of. counting relays has been actuated and the armor zero counti'elay 1109 is cnorgzthced. the line relay 305 1.2-;

ground; to more this sequence switch out ol 13o position .2 and into position 3. When the lower zero counting relay 427 is energized, a circuit'is completed from ground, armature and from; contact of relay 427, con ductor 428, contact 429, conductor 430, contact 255, conductors 212, 211, right-hand armature and back contact of relay 201, contact 223, conductor 209, magnet of sequence'switch 200, to ground, to move this sequence switch out of position 6.

In position 7 of the sequence switch 200, a circuit is established from grounded battery, winding of relay 202, conductor 256, contacts 257, 258, back contact and righthand armature of relay 224, to ground. The line relay 202 attracts its armatures and at its left-hand armature and front contact completes a circuit from ground over conductor 234, contact 235, conductor 236, magnet of the sequence switch 200, to grounded battery, to move this sequence switch out of position 7 and into position 8.

While the sequence switch is rotating through position 7 and while it is resting in position 8, an operating circuit is com- ,pleted from grounded battery, winding of brush trip magnet 296, conductor 297, contact 298, to ground. This magnet 296 operates to trip the selected brush of the finder.

In position 8 of the sequence switch 200, a circuit for the lowspeed up-drive magnet is established from grounded battery, winding of magnet 263, conductor 264, contact 265, conductor 234, left-hand front contact and armature of relay 202, to ground. At thistime the test relay 224 is connected to the test brush 266 over a path extending from grounded battery, right-hand winding of test relay 224, contacts 267, 268, conductor 269, to the test brush 266 of the finder switch. As the brushes of the finder switch are elevated the test brush 266 will en age the'terminalsof the lines in the selected group, until it encounters a grounded test terminal. The test relay 224 will thereupon be energized and attract its armatures, and at its left-hand armature a circuit is completed from grounded battery, lei t-hand armature and front contact of relay 224, low resistance winding of relay 224, conductor 269, test brush 266, test terminal and test conductor 270 of the calling line, lefthand winding of relay 105, right-hand front contact and armature of relay 109, to ground. The relay attracts its armatures, and at its right-hand armature and back contacti-nterrupts the energizing circuit of theline relay 104. to render this line non-calling to other finders.

When the test relay 224 became energized, it interrupted the primary circuit of the line relay 202, and this relay will only remain energized until the brushes of the switch. are accurately centered on the line terminal, at which time the circuit completed through commutator brush 263 and the conducting segments of commutator 2 '2, is interrupted by the brush 2 3 encountering an insulated segment of the commutator. Relay 202 at its eft armature and contact opens the circuit oi? driving magnet 262) and completes a circuit from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch 200, condi etor 236, conductor 209, contact 249, conductor 203, back contact and left-hand armature oi? relay 202, to ground, to move the sequence switch 201 out of position 8. The sequence switch 200 continues torotate under the control of its master contact until it reaches position 1]. lVhen the line relay 10L is de'e'nergized and the test relay 224 is energized, the two sides oil? the diil'erential circuit through the differential relay 107 will be opened, and if no other line in the particular group is calling, the relay 107 will remain deiinergized.

As the brushes of the finder are being elevated to test the successive lines in the various subgroups for the calling line, the commutator brush 243 will encounter an insulated segment of? commutator 271 for each subgroup tested by the finder. As the comlnutator brush 243 encounters a conducting segment 01 the commutator 271, a circuit will be completed. to actuate one of a chain of counting relays. This circuit may be traced from ground, commutator brush 243, conducting ]')ortion oi commutator 271, conductor 285, contacts 292 and 293, conductor 234, contact 437, conductor 4 :38, armature and back contact of counting relay 439, winding of counting relay 440, cmnluctor 419, to grounded battery. The counting relay 440 is energized and attracts its armature. The relay 439, however, is short circuited and will not be energized until the commutator brush 243 encounters an insulated segment on the commutator 271, in which case the energizing circuit for the relay 439 extends from grounded battery, conductor 419, winding 01 relay 440. front contact and armature of this relay, winding of relay 439, conductor 441. contact 442, conductor 443, contact 295 to ground. The relay 439 attracts its armature and under the control of the commutator brush 24-3, this pair of counting relays is actuated. Similarly other pairs of counting relays, as 444 and 445, are actuated for each subgroup tested by the finder.

As the sequence switch 200 passes from position. 9 to position 11, the relay 201. is connected to the talking conductor 299 over a circuit extending from ground, armature and back contact of relay 202, conductors 203 and 204, contact 205 winding of relay 201, conductor 206. contact 299, to the tall:- ing conductor 299. If the intercepted call originated over a final switch, trunk closure will have been completed and relay 201 will test relay 322will d winding of relay 322, right-hand front contact and armature of this relay, conductor 328, test brush 329 over busy test terminals.

The test terminals of busy lines are connected to ground. In case of idle lines, this ground is not connected to the test terminal. l Vhen, therefore, the test brush encounters an idle test term inal such 330, the rgize and in so doing willcomplete a circuit to more the sequence switch cutoff position 3. This circuit may be traced from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch 300, conductor 331,

contact contact 333, left-handbook contact and armature of rel ay to ground.

' As soon as the sequence switch. 330 ieafacs position 6, the operating circuit-for the up drive magnet .is interrupted at contact 327. In position 7 of the sequence switch 300, the connector awaits trunk closure at the finder switch.

lVhen sequence switch 300 of the connector has reached position 7 a circuit is completed to. energize the relay 334. This circuit extends from grounded battery, contact 335, relayv 334, conductor 253, contact 434 and 431, to ground.

252, contact 293, conductor 272, contacts The relay 334 is energized and attracts its armature to complete a circuit from ground, armature and from contact of relay 334, contact 336, contact 304, winding of line relay 305, to grounded battery. Line relay 305 attracts itsarmatures and at its left-hand armature of position 14 and into position 15.

and front contact completes a locking cir- .cuit for itself through contact 308 orer the 'from grounded battery, winding of relay 305, left-hand front contact and armature of this relay, contact 308, contact 337, conductor 254, conductor 273, contact 250, contact 214, winding of relay 201, contact 274,

to ground. Line relay. 305 will therefore remain energized as long as the finder sequence switch 200 remains in position 14. The relay 201 is energized and at its lefthand front contact and armature closes a circuit to move the sequence switch 200 out This circuit may be traced from grounded batter qunagnet of sequence switch 200, con

ductor 236, conductor 209, contact 210, right-hand front contact and armature of the -relay201, conductor 211, conductor 212, contact 213, to ground. When the sequence switch 200 leaves position 14 the energizing'circuit forvthe'line relay 305 is opened,

and this relay at its right-hand back contact and armature completes a circuit from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch 300, contact 319, to ground, to move the sequence switch 300 out of position 8 and into position 16.

When sequence switch 200 moved into p0- sition 15, a circuit was completed to more this sequence switch out of position 15 into position 1.6, which circuit extends from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch. 200, conductors 236, 209, contact 223, couductors 211, 212, contact 213, to ground.

Sequence switch 200, in passing through positions 12 to 15, closes a circuit through battery, ringing trip resistance 275 over the talking conductor 297 back to the incoming switch, so that the ringing relay (not shown) at the incoming switch will he tripped.

When the sequence switch 200 is in positions 15 to 1, a ci cuit is completed. for the sequence switch 400 to more this sequence itch to the test position of the next lindcr. This circuit may be traced from grounded battery, magnet of sequence switch 100, contact 432, coniluct r 433, contact 277, to ground.

As soon as the connector sequence switch 300 reaches position 16, a circuit is completed from the grounded battery, repeat ing coil 342, supervisory relay 3143. contact 344, conductor 345, brush 340, terminal and conductors 347, and 348, winding of relay 349, back contact and armature of relay 350, test terminal 330, brush 329, conductor tact 352- to ground. Relay 340 attracts i s armature and therebycompletes a cir u'tt 1 0m ground, its armature and contact, lamp 353, relay 354, to grounded battery. Lamp remains lighted until the operator inserts the answcringgplug, the slecvc of which is connected to grounded battery, hor upon relay 350 l he energized thron -h the. sleeve of pick boo, conductor 350. w r of relay 350 to ground. Relay 350 attracts its armature and thereby establishes a locking circuit for itself through test terminal, 330, test brush 329, conductor 32S, contact 352 to ground, The locking circuit through re ay 350 is provided to prevent the lump rclighting for the same call when the operator removes the answering plug.

The calling substation now connected to the intercepting operators position, at which time a circuit completed for the ncrvisory relay When the intci pting operator has given the desired information and disconnect-ion has taken place over switches indicated by the brushes 101.. 102 and 103, the energizing circuit o'l relay 10!) is interrupted, causing this relay to retract its armatures. At the right-hand armature of this relay grounded battery is connected to the left-hand winding of relay 10$. lVhen ground is disconnected From the right- If, due to any trouble in the circuits, as for example, poor contacts in the sender circuit, brush selection is not properly g verned, then the brushes of the finder switch will be elevated to their highest position, thereby closing the overflow contact 286. As soon as contact 286 is closed in positions 4 to 8 of sequence switch 200, the test relay 224 is immediately energized over contact 267; This opens the circuit to the diflerential relay 107 at the armature and bacl: contact of relay 224 so that the calling line can immediately start another finder. YVhen the relay 224- is energized in position i of the sequence switch 2.00, it closes an operating circuit toadvance this sequence switch into position 6. This circuit may be traced from ground, right hand armature and front contact of relay 224:, contacts 287 and 273, contact 249, conductors 209 and 236, magnet of sequence switch 200to grounded battery. In position 6 of this sequence switch, the relay 224 is maintained energized and a circuit will be closed over the righthand -front contact and armature of relay 224, conductor 288, contact 289, to the tell-tale signal 290. r

If the cause of any improper action of the connector switch is due to a poor contact in the sender circuit, the brushes of the connector switch will be advanced to their highest position, thereby closing a circuit to the overflow contact 398. IVith overflow. con-- tact 398 closed, a circuit is completed through the contact 332 to rotate the sequence switch 300 to position. 7 or to the position in which. trunk closure is awaited. Sequence switch 300 in position? closes a circuit from ground through commutator brush 318, contact 398,

conductor 362, contact 399, which leads to the tell-tale signal. In the last mcntioi'uul case the sequence switch 200 will be h r position 6, the sequence switch w oc held in position 7, and the'scndcr will remain on the line, so that the cause of I) trouble can be found and investigated. In

casethe trouble occurs while the finder is hunting for the calling line, that is, while the sequence switch 200 is in position 8, the closure of contact 286 will immediately open the differential circuits to the relay 107. The encrgization of relay 225 will open the energizing circuits of relay 202. causing this relay to retract its armatures. At the lefthand armature and back contact of relay 202, a circuit is closed to move the s switch 200 from position 8- into position 11. In position. 11, with the overflowcontact 28 3 closed, the relay 202 will be energized and will close the circuit from ground, left-hand armature and front contact of relay 202, conductor 23a, contact 291, to the toil-tale signal 211.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, groups of insetting of one of said switches in operative relation to a group of incoming lines and for subsequently controlling the setting oi a second automatic switch in operative relation to a corresponding group of outgoing line 2. In a telephone system, groups of inr coming lines, groups outgoing liucs, means including automatic switches for 111- tcrconnecting any incoming line Witll any outgoing line, and a counting device for controlling the setting of one of said switches in operative relation. to a group of incoming lines, and for controlling the setting of a second automatic switch in operative relation to a corresponding group of outgoing lines.

3. In a telephone system, groups of iuconii-i g lines, groups oi outgoiug lines, means including automatic switches for intcrconnecting any incoming line with any outgoing line, and means controlled by the sting of one of said automatic switches in operative relation to a group of incoming lines to subsequently govern the setting of a second automatic switch in operative rclation to a corresponding group of outgoing lines.

it. In a telephone system, groups of call ing lines, an outgoing line, means including an automatic switch for interconiuzctiug any ca line with said outgoing line, and

in s including a counting device for conirolii' the setting of said :uitomatic S\\ll'\".ll

in operative relation to a group of calling lines.

5. In a telephone system, groups of calling lines, an outgoing line, means including an automatic switch for interconnecting any calling line with said outgoing line, and means including a counting device controlled by the condition of said groups of calling lines for determining the setting of said automatic switch in operative relation to a group of calling lines.

6. In a telephone system, groups of incoming lines, groups of outgoing lines, means including automatic switches for interconnecting any incoming line with any outgoing line, and a counting device actuated in a certain manner by the group selection of one of said switches, said counting device when actuated in a complementary manner operating to control the setting of a second automatic switch in operative l (iii relation to a corresponding group of outgoing lines.

7. In a telephone system, a group of incoming lines, a group of outgoing lines, means including automatic switches for interconnecting any incoming line with any outgoing line, and a counting device actuated by one of said automatic switches while locating the calling line, said counting device when actuated in a complementary manner controlling the setting of a second automatic switch in operative relation to one of said groups of outgoing lines.

8. In a telephone system, groups of calling lines, an outgoin line, means including an automatic switch for interconnecting any calling line with said outgoing lines, a plurality of counting devices, any one of which operates to control the setting of said automatic switch in operative relation to a group of calling lines, and means for allotting one of said counting devices for use.

9. In a telephone system, groups of incoming lines, groups of outgoing lines, means including automatic switches for interconnecting any incoming line with any outgoing line, a plurality of countin devices, each of said counting devices eing arranged to be actuated by one of said automatic switches while locating the calling line, and to be actuated in a complementary manner to control the setting of a second automatic switch in operative relation to one of said groups of outgoing lines, and means for allotting a counting device for use.

10. In a telephone system, a link circuit provided at each end with an automatic switch, incoming lines terminating at one of said switches and arranged in groups and subgroups at said switch, outgoing lines terminating at the other switch and arranged in groups and sub-groups thereat, and a counting device operating to set each of said switches in operative relation to cor-- responding rou s of lines at each of said switches anc su sequently to control the setting of one of said switches in operative relation to sub-groups corres onding to the sub-group selection at the ot er switch.

11. In a telephone system, a link circuit provided at each end with an automatic switch, incoming lines terminating at one of said switches and arranged in groups and sub-groups thereat, outgoing lines terminating at the other automatic switch and arranged in groups and subgroups thereat, and means operating to control group selection at each of said switches, said means being also actuated by the sub-group selection at one of said switches to control the subgroup selection at the other automatic switch.

12. In a telephone system, alink circuit provided at each end with an automatic switch, incoming lines terminating at one of said switches and arranged in groups and sub-groups thereat, outgoing lines terminating in the other automatic switch and arranged in groups and sub-groups thereat, and a counting device operating to control group selection at each of said switches, said counting device being also actuated by the sub-group selection at one of said switches to control the sub-group selection at the other automatic switch.

13. In a telephone system, a link circuit provided at each end with an automatic switch, incoming lines terminating at one of said switches and arranged in groups and sub-groups thereat, outgoing lines terminating at the other automatic switch and arranged in groups and sub-groups thereat, and a counting device operating to control group selection at each of sald switches, said counting device being set in accordance with the subgroup selection at one of said switches to control the sub-group selection at the other switch.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 26th day of December, A. D.

WILLIAM II. MATTHIES. 

